In The Market For Washer/Dryer

[zwiller]

Whirpool fan here. LOTS of friends work at the plant about 30m here. @JIMSMOKES BEAT ME
IMO you can typically repair one of those 5 year old washers or dryers pretty cheap if you're handy.

 

[Gonna Smoke]

Whirpool fan here. LOTS of friends work at the plant about 30m here. @JIMSMOKES BEAT ME
IMO you can typically repair one of those 5 year old washers or dryers pretty cheap if you're handy.

Yeah, it's a toss up. The premium price paid for Speed Queen vs the cost to repair less expensive brands if you're handy. In my case, I'm cheap...

 

[chopsaw]

They all have outsourced parts . Some more or less than others . Speed Queen included .
Trick is knowing what " Made in America " means .

I have a Kenmore washer dryer set , that I know is over 20 years old . I think it's Whirlpool . Either way , easy fix on most all of it .

 

[JckDanls 07]

Vent hose basically completely blocked.

Yea... Mrs Danl's said it wasn't drying very good... Checked the vent on the roof... All clean... Pulled the vent hose off... mostly plugged up... Cleaned it out and good to go... Told her I wasn't going to be buying new ones.. Won't be long and we'll be selling the house to downsize.. She can't keep up with the cleaning anymore and won't be able to afford a maid on a fixed income...

 

[Rafter H BBQ]

Just looked it up… and not trying to start anything here… but Speed Queen was started in Ripon, WI in 1908 and according to their site. They rely on nothing overseas. Do you spend a bit more for quality… yes, absolutely!

But I’d rather spend a few extra bucks for known quality that is USA made and a decade of warranty!

Just my 2 cents… and I’d likely get some change back.

 

[Rafter H BBQ]

Bought our set 2011. Dryer stopped heating earlier this year. Heating coil burned out. 2 screws to remove lower front panel and 2 screws to remove heating element. New heating element 30.00. Less than 30 min to fix.
Probably my fault it burned out. Vent hose basically completely blocked.

This! Simply made and repairs are not overly complicated!

 

[chopsaw]

Just looked it up… and not trying to start anything here… but Speed Queen was started in Ripon, WI in 1908 and according to their site.

and , they Globally source electronics and computer chips .

 

[Winterrider]

Gotta watch some of the high warranty offers. Some that say 10yr, that may be for the transmission only. My washer guy told me that when he brought my new washer.
Have Maytag with the 5 yr warranty. Main motherboard went out ( non available for specific model ) for the quick cycle . Every other cycle worked fine. This happened at 4yrs-10 months. Maytag replaced machine with the upgraded version and have another 5 yrs of warranty on it again.

 

[normanaj]

Not only USA made… but made simple. No digital BS… just simple and strongly made!

Both our washer and dryer are the fully mechanical models,not one LED light or computer chip to be found.

 

[Rawhide99]

Another Speed Queen fan.

 

[normanaj]

I got tired of buying new washers every 3-5 years, it's all junk at Lowes, home depot. Bought a speed queen and never looked back.

This was 100% our scenario also.

 

[Rafter H BBQ]

and , they Globally source electronics and computer chips .

And I stand corrected on this, Rich you are correct. Though most Speed Queen is USA made… the electronic and chips are assembled overseas and put together here.

My apologies, and again I stand corrected!

 

[Rafter H BBQ]

However, the model we have has no chips as far as I can find.

It’s the simple one that just runs and runs.

 

[Rafter H BBQ]

Ours are very similar to what @normanaj posted!

 

[chopsaw]

And I stand corrected on this, Rich you are correct. Though most Speed Queen is USA made… the electronic and chips are assembled overseas and put together here.

No need for any of that Justin . Just going back to the statement of knowing what Made in USA means .
Like Whirlpool advertises something like " The only laundry and kitchen equipment brand made in America " Well , only because Speed Queen doesn't make Kitchen appliances .

The transmission and stuff that matters are engineered , made and built here . That's what matters .
They may not have chips , but they all have switches and relays .

 

[Rafter H BBQ]

No need for any of that Justin . Just going back to the statement of knowing what Made in USA means .
Like Whirlpool advertises something like " The only laundry and kitchen equipment brand made in America " Well , only because Speed Queen doesn't make Kitchen appliances .

The transmission and stuff that matters are engineered , made and built here . That's what matters .
They may not have chips , but they all have switches and relays .

Well said my friend! Appreciate the response.

 

[chopsaw]

Here's an age finder I use when working on this stuff for anyone that's interested in knowing how old their " stuff " is .

Appliance Age Finder | Beacon Services & Appliances

Use Beacon’s Appliance Age Finder to estimate the age of major home appliances by brand, model, and serial number, including washers, dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers, and ranges.

www.beaconsaves.com

 

[zwiller]

IMO "Made in the USA" = assembled on US soil.

Mind is blown how simple these things are to fix sometimes. I got hooked early on. First repair on this stuff was a gas dryer. High limit switch. Basically a fuse. I jumped it and got it working 10m later (after cleaning vent of course). Next day local shop had the part. $8!!! FIXED. I typically get 20 years or so before I grab a new one. Might stick 2-3 parts in them over that time. Still working when I replace them but bleach rusted the top, all sorts of odd noises, etc.

Not sure if you guys know this or not but the new washers spin INSANELY fast so the clothes are WAY dryer than the old units. Dryer runs a LOT less so you save $. They get much quieter each generation I think too. Buddy of mine used to work in appliance engineering and told me the benchmark is 7 years.

 

[yankee2bbq]

Not too long ago I asked this same question on SMF as you,”What washer dryer do you all recommend?”
The response was Speed Queen! At the time we actually had a local appliance store (not a big box store) have Speed Queen! We bought the non digital duo! We love them! Well worth it!

 

[mike243]

Years ago I was fixing whirlpool fridges and you open a part and the box would say proudly made in USA, then the part would have another country's name on it. What ever you buy get a extended warranty, just bought a Samsung washer day after Christmas, awaiting my 2nd service call on it tomorrow. it's a all in 1 vented, first softener dispenser valve went bad then detergent leak at the tank, suspect the new valve connector is thinner than the old 1 so leaking, hopefully a new tank will fix it. Still under 1 year warranty so don't have to test best buys extend 1 lol